The Federal Pell Grant provides assistance to low-income students based on financial need to promote access to higher education. Students may use grant money to attend one of more than 5,400 accredited institutions of post-secondary education. Grant award amounts depend on expected family financial contribution (calculated with the FAFSA application), student enrollment status and the cost of the school. Pell Grants are made through the participating schools to first-time bachelor's degree-seeking students and some graduate students in select teaching certificate and licensing programs. Students automatically apply for Pell Grant funds via the FAFSA application.
The California Student Aid Commission offers Cal Grants, a grant award program for California high school seniors, recent graduates and those who have earned a GED. Applicants must meet academic and financial requirements and attend a California college, university or technical school. A variety of Cal Grant awards are available; the Cal Grant A is the largest. To apply for the Cal Grant, students must fill out the FAFSA and meet a grade point average requirement.
The School of Visual Arts in New York city offers the Silas H. Rhodes Merit Scholarship, a privately endowed scholarship. The scholarship is awarded purely on merit, recognizing the academic and creative accomplishments of student applicants. All freshman applicants with a 3.0 grade point average or better are automatically considered for this competitive scholarship. Only award winners will be notified.
The Massachusetts legislature funds the MASSGrant program, a financial aid program for undergraduate students who reside in Massachusetts and are enrolled in a program of higher education at an approved college or university. Applicants must be U.S. citizens enrolled full time (maintaining a course load of 12 credits or more). The maximum family contribution before eligibility cut-off is $4,617. Application for the MASSGrant is made through FAFSA.